Through fetal intervention surgery undergone in the womb or surgery just after birth to treat myelomeningocele, the most common and severe form of spina bifida, kids living with the disease are able to walk, run and play at their 4th annual reunion camping trip.

For more information on prenatal care and treatment for myelomeningocele (spina bifida), please visit: https://www.mottchildren.org/conditio...

In June 2019, multiple families gathered at River Valley R.V. Park in Gladwin, MI with something very special in common – each had a child that underwent surgery to treat myelomeningocele, the most common and severe form of spina bifida. These surgeries were either open fetal surgery, taking place while still in their mother’s womb, or performed after birth. Open fetal surgery can be an option to qualifying candidates. Though open fetal surgery is not a cure, it may minimize the need for ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt and also increases a child’s ability to walk on their own.

Michigan Medicine has offered fetal surgery for spina bifida since 2015. In this video, some of Michigan Medicine’s first fetal surgery patients connect at their 4th annual camping trip. While many families diagnosed with spina bifida are given grim outlooks ranging from whether the child will have the ability to use the bathroom normally or walk on their own to neurological damage, Michigan Medicine offers hope for these children to live thriving lives.



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